It is true. The town has faced problems and is facing problems. Serious problems. Drought, political conflict, community division, and so on. However, despite the devastation to morale that the COVID restrictions have brought, some people summoned the will to put on a fair.
It wasn’t a big fair. Basically, it was two parades, food, and an evening of socially distanced country music in the park.
I did something new and drove a barrel train in the parade for the local museum. I don’t know if I was appreciated but the sight of my nieces and nephew waving from the train cars certainly was enjoyed by the people who came out to watch.
After all the stress of the past months, it seemed that there was a good atmosphere in the air at last. People were smiling, milling about, enjoying the outdoors and each other’s company. It would have been easy to get the impression that things were normal.
A few days later we even had an all-day rain. The sound of gentle drumming on the roof was something we hadn’t heard for some time.
The river was refilled and the grass is starting to grow again.
My acting group is regrouping and planning a show for the first time in a long time.
Is this a sign of better days to come?
We all hope so but I suppose we shall see what the future brings.
Kelvin Bueckert 